"crown, wreath"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Steve
Pronunciation: [ st-EEV ]
Does Steve flow with your last name?
A classic American name meaning crown
American
English
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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The Story of Steve
Steve is a short form of Steven or Stephen, from the Greek Stephanos meaning crown or wreath. The name was borne by Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, stoned to death around 34 AD. As a standalone given name, Steve gained popularity in the mid-20th century as an everyman name with a friendly, unpretentious character.
Steve peaked in the US during the 1950s-1960s as part of the Baby Boomer naming wave. It is associated with the archetypal mid-century American male name. Today it is declining as a new baby name.
Steve Jobs, Steve Martin, Steve McQueen - the name has been borne by cultural icons who shaped American culture from technology to comedy to film.
Historical Record
Steve first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 172,598 babies have been named Steve in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Steve is past its peak , currently ranked #1,693 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Steve Jobs co-founded Apple in 1976 and revolutionized personal computing, music, and smartphones
- Steve is consistently one of the most common names in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Steve in Other Languages
French
Etienne
German
Stefan
Italian
Stefano
Spanish
Esteban
Popularity Over Time
#1,693
Current Rank
Peaked 1959
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Steve
S
Steve Jobs
Business
1955
Co-founder of Apple Inc., visionary technology entrepreneur who transformed multiple industries
S
Steve Martin
Entertainer
1945
American comedian, actor, and playwright known for decades of stand-up comedy and films
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,693
- Total SSA Count
- 99
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Stevie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Steve
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Steve is also used as a girl name, ranked #69931.
View Steve as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Steve
What does the name Steve mean?
"crown, wreath" (from Greek). Steve is a short form of Steven or Stephen, from the Greek Stephanos meaning crown or wreath. The name was borne by Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, stoned to death around 34 AD. As a standalone given name, Steve gained popularity in the mid-20th century as an everyman name with a friendly, unpretentious character.
What is the origin of the name Steve?
Steve has Greek, American, and English origins. In Greek, it means "crown, wreath".
Is Steve a boy or girl name?
Steve is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1693. As a girl name, it is ranked #69931. Steve is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Steve?
Steve is pronounced st-EEV.
How popular is the name Steve?
Steve is currently ranked #1693 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Steve?
Common nicknames for Steve include Stevie.
What are good middle names for Steve?
Popular middle name pairings include Steve James, Steve Allen, Steve Ray, Steve Michael, and Steve Thomas.
What are good sibling names for Steve?
Names that pair well with Steve as siblings include Dave, Mike, Karen, Linda, and Brian.
How many syllables does Steve have?
Steve has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Steve a common or rare name?
Steve is an uncommon name, ranked #1693 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Steve?
About the Name Steve
Steve is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "crown, wreath" in Greek .
Is Steve a boy or girl name? Steve is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,693 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #69,931. Steve is more commonly used as a boy name.
Steve is currently ranked #1,693 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Steve has 1 syllable and is pronounced st-EEV, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Steve include Stevie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Steve include Steven, Stevie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis